Although Bluetooth is not a visual connection technology, there is a common misconception that it can only work over short distances.
That is not correct. Gluing the phone sleeves together will not increase the speed at which information is transmitted between them, just as pressing harder on the joystick buttons will not increase the speed of your car.
Bluetooth or radio waves behave similarly to other types of waves, such as sound waves and there are many things you can actually do to enhance the signal.
This article is going to explain how to increase Bluetooth range, but before that let’s get into how far Bluetooth can actually travel and after that i’ll cover what can be done to improve your Bluetooth signal.
Let’s Begin!
Recommended Read: How to Make AirPods Discoverable
How to Increase Bluetooth Range : A Summary
There are many ways you can increase the range of your Bluetooth device. However, the following methods have proven to work and they do not require any professional to get the job done.
- Use Range Extenders
- Update your Bluetooth Version
- Avoid Physical Obstacles
- Use a Bluetooth Signal Repeater
- Turn Off Any Devices That Are Not in Use
- Reset Your Bluetooth Device
- Bonus: Purchase New Items and Keep Updating
How Far Can Bluetooth Travel?
The distance traveled by sound waves is determined by how loud you scream, the obstacles in its path, and the listener’s sensitivity. As a result, the louder you scream, the further the voice will travel, which is due in part to the hardware – the structure of the voice box, lung capacity, and so on. The same concept applies to Bluetooth technology where Bluetooth is power-dependent, or class-dependent and the coverage range depends on factors like the class of Bluetooth.
| Device Class | Transmit Power | Intended Range |
| Class 3 | 1mW | Less than 10 meters |
| Class 2 | 2.5mW | 10 meters, 33 feet |
| Class 1 | 100mW | 100 meters, 328 feet |
There are three classes available, each with three standard intended ranges.
- Class 1 devices have a transmit power of 100 mW and a range of 100 meters (328 feet).
- Class 2 devices have a transmit power of 2.5 mW and a range of 10 meters (33 feet). The majority of Bluetooth headsets and headphones are Class 2 devices.
- Finally, Class 3 devices have a transmit power of 1 mW and a range of less than 10 meters.
Please keep in mind that these are intended ranges, and this is where the other part comes in. Obstacles between the two devices, such as walls, that attenuate the signals, can drastically reduce ranges. Thus, transmitting power, receiver sensitivity, and obstacles near the device all have an effect on range.
Table of Contents
How to Increase Bluetooth Range?
Can We Increase The Range of Bluetooth?
When the devices are part of a larger, widely distributed network, spatial constraints impede communication. Because newer Bluetooth versions have ranges ranging from about 250 feet to 800 feet, updating your device appears to be the most profitable solution.
Signal repeaters, intermediate devices that capture, amplify, and then transmit or repeat signals without distortion, can be used to extend ranges. A device with a range of 33 feet that is connected to a 1000-foot repeater, for example, can enjoy a range of 1,000 feet.
You could also take control of the situation. There are several DIY methods on YouTube for extending Bluetooth ranges by tinkering with Bluetooth modules in your device, so grab a soldering iron and a couple of screwdrivers and channel your inner engineer. Another low-cost option is to align your devices so that their signals are not disrupted by obstacles.
How to Improve Bluetooth Range
The earliest versions of the Bluetooth protocol had a maximum range of approximately 33 feet, so you were out of luck if you wanted to use your Bluetooth device from a greater distance. Bluetooth 4.2, the most recent version of the protocol, can theoretically extend to 200 feet or more, but as with any wireless networking technology, the theoretical maximum is constrained by the environment.
Getting a newer device is the simplest way to extend Bluetooth range if you have an older version of Bluetooth. Older devices may have an older Bluetooth version that only allows you to connect devices that are up to 33 feet apart. Bluetooth will not connect if two devices are too far apart.
However, if you use Bluetooth 4.0 devices, you can enjoy a range of up to 100 feet. This means that you will have a strong signal beyond 30 feet. Although the signal is weaker at 100 feet than it is at 50 feet, having a new device provides you with a greater range.
Most new devices include Bluetooth version 4.0 or 5.0, which are not only faster but also have a longer range. Bluetooth 4.0 not only has a greater range, but it is also safer than previous Bluetooth versions.
These new Bluetooth devices are extremely convenient because they can connect over long distances. You can listen to music or make phone calls while driving by plugging an earbud into your ear. Headphones and speakers now provide a better way to listen to music without the use of wires.
Other than purchasing one of these new devices, how can you improve the range of your Bluetooth?
Make Use of Range Extenders
Bluetooth has limitations. Even if you upgrade to Bluetooth 4.0, you will still be unable to connect devices that are more than 100 feet apart. Bluetooth range extenders allow you to go beyond the standard connection range.
Outdoors, the extender, also known as a booster or repeater, allows you to connect devices up to 150 feet apart. When used indoors, the extender can increase the distance by up to 70 feet. If you still need a longer range, combine two range extenders to form a “daisy chain” that extends the range from where the first extender ended.
These extenders do more than just make your Bluetooth signal travel further. The best extender will boost the signal and speed up transmission, allowing you to avoid the delay that occurs when connecting Bluetooth devices. Again, if there is a disconnection, the extenders will quickly restore the connection so you can continue listening to music or making calls.
These extenders can function as both transmitters and receivers, allowing you to use them in a variety of Bluetooth devices at home, in your car, and elsewhere.
Update your Bluetooth Version
In theory, neither the original 4.0 nor the current 4.2 standard specifications include an upper range limit, with the power and Bluetooth protocol in the weaker of the two connected devices setting the practical limit on theoretical range.
If one device operates at the 4.2 standard with enough power to transmit 1,000 feet, but the other is an older Bluetooth headset with a 33-foot range, the maximum distance between the two before the link fails remains 33 feet.
If your older or weaker devices support Bluetooth upgrades, update them to the most recent version that the hardware supports in order to achieve incremental improvements between protocol versions.
Avoid Physical Obstacles
Because Bluetooth, like Wi-Fi, relies on two-way radio communication to function, any obstruction in the line-of-sight between the two connected devices serves to limit the connection’s effective range. A Bluetooth signal, for example, travels farther in an open meadow full of flowers and butterflies than it does in a concrete-and-steel office building.
Dense objects between the devices degrade signal quality, so removing those obstacles will increase the connection’s range. An apparently insignificant act such as opening a steel door can expose a room to Bluetooth signal that would otherwise be blocked!
Use a Bluetooth Signal Repeater
Install a Bluetooth repeater, which acts as a bridge between the two paired devices. The repeater must be within range of the least powerful device, but by using it, the least powerful device gains an advantage.
A headset with a 33-foot range connected to a repeater with a 1,000-foot range, for example, will effectively have a 1,000-foot range. Repeaters may be useful in environments with fixed infrastructure, such as an apartment building or home office, but they are not practical for in-the-moment or casual use.
Turn Off Any Devices That Are Not in Use
You may never need to do this unless you’ve exhausted all other options and are still unable to increase the signal’s range. Signals from other devices should not interfere with Bluetooth signals, but if you have a large number of devices and are experiencing signal problems, you may need to turn off some of them.
Reset Your Bluetooth Device
To reset your Bluetooth and Bluetooth devices, you may need to turn them off and on again. Most of the time, you should be able to connect up to seven devices to your Bluetooth connection without any major issues.
Most devices, however, may experience minor issues such as memory exceptions.
When you reset your Bluetooth and the devices, you clear these common problems and prepare your devices for a strong signal. If you don’t reset every day, do so when your connection is down.
Bonus : Purchase New Items and Keep Updating
Although you have new devices, the technology is outdated. The fact that your TV is only a year old does not guarantee that it will make fast Bluetooth connections. Check the Bluetooth version in the devices when shopping to ensure you have version 4.0 or higher.
Furthermore, you should update your devices, particularly your phone and TV or other internet-connected devices. When you update your software, you address issues like memory constraints and hardware problems that affect your Bluetooth range.
Takeaway
If your Bluetooth devices are only 30 feet apart, they will work flawlessly. The signal weakens as the distance increases, as does the audio quality from the speakers. You can solve this problem by using audio extenders.
Bluetooth was extremely useful for a decade and made tremendous progress. However, due to a major flaw – security – it was reduced to the status of a nearly extinct device.
Bluetooth was a major security stumbling block. BlueSnarfing attacks, which targeted Nokia and Ericsson phones, enabled attackers to connect to and manipulate devices without requiring authentication.
Nonetheless, its contributions will be remembered by introverts and revelers.
Also Read:
- Â How to Prevent Apps from Stopping Music on iPhone
- Â How to Use Live Listen Without AirPods
- How to Make AirPods Discoverable | A Step by Step Guide
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I've been specializing in audio equipment and accessories for a while and have a little something in store for every kind of hi-fi enthusiast.
Based in California, I keep attending special launch events across the globe. This has helped me understand the products better, and with a unique hands-on experience I'm able to provide you with easy to understand reviews about the best in audio tech from around the world.
